The Frugal Fiduciary Small Business 401(k) Blog
Get the latest industry news, deadlines and tips you need to know to help tackle your fiduciary responsibility needs.

Lowering 401(k) Fees – Options for Sponsors and Participants

By: Eric Droblyen
June 10th 2020
Lowering 401(k) fees will increase the investment returns of plan participants dollar-for-dollar. Our guide can help plan sponsors and participants do that.
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How to Find & Calculate John Hancock 401(k) Fees

By: Eric Droblyen
June 6th 2020
Finding John Hancock 401k fees isn't easy. In this guide, we'll show you average John Hancock fees, then how to find & calculate them in your plan.
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How to “Value” 401(k) Administration Services and Investments

By: Eric Droblyen
May 13th 2020
To value your 401k provider, I recommend benchmarking their administration fees per capita and their investment fees based on returns. Our process can help.
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A “Rosetta Stone” for Finding 401(k) Provider Fees

By: Eric Droblyen
April 29th 2020
When 401(k) fees are paid from plan assets, they reduce participant investment returns dollar-for-dollar. Find your 401(k) provider's fees using our guide.
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Don’t Let Your 401(k) Provider Hide the Cost of Your Plan

By: Eric Droblyen
February 5th 2020
401(k) providers can charge different fees for comparable services and investments. To avoid excessive fees, employers must know the cost of their plan.
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401(k) Fees - Rules for Allocating Among Plan Participants

By: Eric Droblyen
October 2nd 2019
Employers have a fiduciary responsibility to allocate 401(k) fees among plan participants equitably. This job can be easy with some basic education.
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Steps for Reducing the Out-of-Pocket Cost of Retirement

By: Eric Droblyen
September 4th 2019
A simple plan can dramatically reduce the cost of retirement for 401(k) participants. Investing knowledge is not required to follow the plan.
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It's Too Easy to Conceal 401k Fees – We Need 408b-2 Reform

By: Eric Droblyen
April 17th 2019
Fidelity is being accused of charging excessive, undisclosed 401(k) fees. Other providers obfuscate fees in 408b-2 disclosures. It's time for reform.
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Applying Jack Bogle’s Guiding Principle to 401(k) Provider Fees

By: Eric Droblyen
February 6th 2019
Jack Bogle's guiding principle was simple - costs matter. 401(k) participants should apply the same principle to 401(k) provider fees paid by their account.
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Calculating American Funds 401(k) Fees Using Their 408b-2

By: Eric Droblyen
October 31st 2018
American Funds is one of the largest 401k providers in the nation. Their 408b-2 fee disclosure is also one of the worst. Here are steps for deciphering it.
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